In this lab we sprayed different compounds of Nitrate into a flame to create different colours. Here are the results of our lab:

LiNO3 – Red

CuNO3 – Green

KNO3 – Rose

Sr(NO3)2 – Dark Orange

Zn(NO3)2 – Light Orange

Ca(NO3)2 – Pink

Every time a compound is sprayed into the flame, the flame changes colour because the electrons jump levels when the compound is heated. When the electrons jump levels, quantum energy is released, and the amount of energy released is what influences the different colours seen in the flame.